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MUNICIPAL RESOURCE GUIDE FOR WALKABILITY MAY 2019 THIS PAGE HAS INTENTIONALLY BEEN LEFT BLANK Letter from the Secretary e d i u G I am pleased to present the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s Municipal e Resource Guide for Walkability. MassDOT created this Guide to help municipalities address rc u some of the most common questions and challenges regarding walkability. This Guide is an o s element of MassDOT’s 2019 Pedestrian Transportation Plan. Walking is the most basic e R and fundamental form of transportation for people of all abilities, including those using l a assistive devices. Everyone is a pedestrian at some point, whether walking to a local store, p i c traveling to school, accessing a transit stop, or crossing the street to get to their car. ni u MassDOT is committed to ensuring that Massachusetts residents and visitors have safe, M accessible, and connected walking routes to encourage walking as an everyday form of n | travel. a Pl n MassDOT regularly works with critical stakeholders—and no stakeholder is more critical o than the Commonwealth’s municipalities. For pedestrians, this relationship is particularly important, as the vast majority of sidewalks ati t in Massachusetts—92 percent—are under local ownership and control. Together, MassDOT and municipalities can promote walking for or p transportation and recreation for people across the Commonwealth. By using resources such as the Complete Streets Funding Program and s n Safe Routes to School, MassDOT is partnering with municipalities to make investments in programs and projects that support accessibility, a r T connectivity, and mobility. The Guide also discusses the important relationship between walking and transit and how best practices in transit n access and transit stop design can be applied across a variety of contexts. a ri t s e I would like to thank all of those inside and outside of MassDOT who contributed to this Guide, including municipal staff who provided valuable d e feedback on the challenges and opportunities to developing walking infrastructure at the local level. Not only does this Guide address the P physical elements essential to walkability—walkways, direct and convenient routes, and safe crossings—but it also provides best practices and case studies on how municipalities can maintain walkways both during the winter and on a year-round basis. Ensuring that pedestrians of all abilities have access to our public right-of-way is an essential component of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). MassDOT is committed to ensuring accessibility on our own facilities and supporting its municipal partners in doing the same. The Guide clarifies the responsibilities municipalities have under ADA and offers solutions to the most common issues encountered when developing ADA Transition Plans and upgrading streets, sidewalks and crosswalks to ADA compliance. MassDOT has been working for years to make our transportation system more sustainable, to encourage the use of walking, biking, and transit, and to ensure that roadway designs are safe and convenient for all users. This Guide—and the Pedestrian Transportation Plan of which it is part—builds upon the work of the award-winning Project Development & Design Guide (2006), the GreenDOT Policy Initiative (2010), the Healthy Transportation Directive (2013), and the internationally recognized Separated Bike Lane Planning & Design Guide (2015). The Municipal Resources Guide for Walkability represents MassDOT’s continued commitment to partnering with municipalities to build Complete Streets that are accessible, safe, and convenient for users of all ages and abilities. Stephanie Pollack Secretary of Transportation and Chief Executive Officer Massachusetts Department of Transportation 3 e id Introduction u G e c r u o s e As part of the MassDOT Pedestrian Transportation Plan, the Commonwealth has developed the following vision for walking: R l a p Short trips can be walkable if people i c i n u M feel safe and comfortable. n | a Pl n o ti a The Municipal Resource Guide provides » Regional Transit Agencies t r o an introduction to the core concepts of » Massachusetts Department p s walkability and outlines additional resources of Public Health n a r that are available on each topic. The » Mass in Motion Coordinators T n Guide is intended to provide communities » Massachusetts Municipal Association Throughout this Guide, and the a ri with the tools and information needed » MassDOT 2019 Massachusetts Pedestrian t s e to hold discussions on why and how to › Office of the Secretary Transportation Plan, the terms d e improve walkability. The audience for › Districts “walking” and “pedestrian” are P this Guide is community practitioners: › Traffic Engineering used inclusively of people of all municipal staff, elected officials, › Safety Section abilities including those using volunteers, residents, and advocates. › Project Management assistive devices. › Highway Design The topics addressed in this guide › Right-of-Way were selected based on input received › Snow & Ice Operations during stakeholder interviews with › Massachusetts Bay The Massachusetts Bicycle and representatives of the following: Transportation Authority Pedestrian Advisory Board (MABPAB) › Complete Streets » Municipal Planning, Engineering, serves as the Steering Committee Funding Program Economic Development and for the Pedestrian Transportation › Office of Civil Rights Department of Public Works staff Plan. The MABPAB was established › Safe Routes to School » Disability Commissions and Advocates by law in 2004 and serves in an › Walking and Biking Working Group » Regional Planning Agencies advisory role advancing bicycle and pedestrian transportation for MassDOT and other state agencies. Its members are appointed by the Governor of the Commonwealth. 4 e d Contents i u G e c r This Guide is organized into seven chapters, each of which focuses on a specific topic related to development and maintenance u o of pedestrian infrastructure. Each chapter features key information about the topic as well as links to additional resources. s e R » Why is Walkability Important? Page 7 al p Presents the case for municipalities to make investments in walking. ci i n u » Elements of Walkable Communities Page 10 M Describes policies and design details that promote walkability. n | a » Safety Page 23 Pl n Provides design elements and countermeasures for reducing pedestrian crashes. o ti a t » ADA and Accessibility Page 30 or p Provides information regarding municipal compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), s n including how to develop a Transition Plan and implement ADA compliant designs. a r T n » Pedestrian Access to Transit Page 37 a ri Discusses the importance of providing safe and convenient walking routes to and from transit. st e d e » Maintenance and Repair Page 40 P Offers guidance on inspection programs, pavement preservation and repair, and other ongoing maintenance activities related to pedestrian infrastructure. » Snow and Ice Clearance Page 45 Provides strategies to address winter maintenance, including identifying responsible parties and treatment types. 5 e d i u G e c r u o s e R l a p i c i n u M n | a Pl n o ti a t r o p s n a r T n a ri t s e d THIS PAGE HAS INTENTIONALLY BEEN LEFT BLANK e P 6 e Why is Walkability Important? id u G e c Every trip involves walking at some point, ur o whether it is getting to a bus stop, crossing s e a street, or getting from a parked car to a R l building entrance. The term “walkable” can a p i apply to both communities and roadways that c i n are accessible, safe, comfortable, convenient, u M aonf dp ewoepllle-c wonanlke, cctoemd.m Wuhneitni egsr ecaatne re nxpuemribeenrcse n | a social, economic, health, and environmental Pl n benefits. Municipalities that invest in o ti programs and infrastructure projects to a t r encourage walking can realize these benefits o p at the community level. s n a r T Benefits of Walkable n a ri t s Communities e d e P Mobility and Connectivity Walkability can help rural, suburban, and urban municipalities advance their goals related to mobility, safety, economic development, public health, sustainability, and equity. Pictured above: Main Street in Northfield. » Accessible communities increase mobility options for everyone and are » Walking infrastructure increases » A pedestrian hit by a vehicle travelling essential for the mobility of people with opportunities for recreation by at 20 mph has an 18 percent likelihood physical disabilities, limited mobility, connecting residents and employees of a severe injury or death. That or without access to a vehicle. to parks, trails, and open spaces. likelihood increases to 77 percent if the vehicle is travelling at 40 mph » Investments in accessibility upgrades Safety (see Figure 1).14 For more information, can also benefit transit users who need see Safety on page 23. to travel to and from bus stops or rail » Designing communities to be walkable stations. Transit can be more appealing can help improve safety for all modes. » Research on injury crash rates shows to use when the access routes feature Elements of walkable communities— that safety improves as more people sidewalks, accessible curb ramps, and greater intersection density and fewer walk. For example, doubling the number conveniently located road crossings. lanes on major roads—are associated of people walking corresponds to a For more information, see Pedestrian with fewer total, severe, and fatal crashes 34 percent decrease in an individual’s Access to Transit on page 37. because they slow vehicle speeds and risk of being struck by a vehicle.15 encourage more predictable behaviors.13 7 e d i u G e c ur Health and Wellness o s e R » Walking is an easy way for people to get l a physical activity, which can improve an p ci individual’s physical health and fitness. i n u Research shows walkable communities M correlate with improved health.1 2 3 n | a Pl » Greater intersection density, greater n street connectivity, and fewer lanes o ti on major roads—tenets of walkable a rt communities—correlate with a reduction o p in obesity, diabetes, high blood s n a pressure, and heart disease rates.4 r T n » Studies suggest that physical a tri activity, like walking, may improve s e mental health, increase happiness, d Pe and promote well-being.5 Figure 1. Pedestrians involved in crashes with motor vehicles are more likely to be severely or fatally injured when vehicle speeds are higher.14 » Research shows that children who walk or bike to school arrive focused economic activity and help the primary greenhouse gas and ready to learn, because physical attract new businesses.7 8 9 contributing to climate change. activity substantially benefits brain function and cognition.6 » Homes in walkable neighborhoods » Getting more people to walk rather have higher values than homes than drive for short trips means less » Walking can reduce health care costs. in less walkable neighborhoods. air pollutants that are harmful to Walking an additional 8 minutes per Studies have shown premiums of breathe, such as carbon monoxide, day is estimated to reduce health care more than $30,000 for homes in nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, costs by $5,500 over a lifetime.1 walkable neighborhoods.8 10 11 and particulate matter. » Walkable roadway designs often Economic Development Environment incorporate more space for trees, » Studies show communities with » When people replace driving landscaping, and pervious surfaces, greater walkability have increased trips with walking trips, it can which reduces stormwater run-off and reduce carbon dioxide emissions, increases groundwater infiltration. 8 e d i u G e c Equity ur o s e » Improving walkability can help achieve R l various equity objectives by providing a p infrastructure that all can use, regardless ci i n of economic wealth or physical mobility. u M » The cost to own, operate, and n | a maintain a vehicle accounts for Pl nearly $8,500 per year, or about 94 n o percent of the average household’s ti a annual transportation costs.12 People rt o who walk may be able to reduce p s n the use of or eliminate household a r motor vehicles, potentially reducing T n household transportation expenditure. a ri t s e Explore More d e P Resources Roadways that do not have dedicated crossing areas can put pedestrians » Pedestrian and Bicycle Information in dangerous situations when they cross the roadway. Center Library, Federal Highway Administration. http://www. pedbikeinfo.org/data/factsheet.cfm 9 e id Elements of Walkable Communities u G e c r u o Complete Streets s e R l Complete Streets is an approach to a p i transportation policy and infrastructure c ni design that seeks to provide safe u M and comfortable facilities for all road n | users regardless of age or ability in a a Pl manner appropriate for the context of n the roadway. In practice, this means o ti considering the needs of and providing a rt space for people walking, bicycling, o p taking transit and driving. MassDOT’s s n a Complete Streets Funding Program r T provides training, design guidance, n a and funding for municipalities to ri st construct Complete Streets. e d e P Walkable communities feature a mix of uses and infrastructure to support walking. MassDOT is committed to creating safe, in Massachusetts, it is important that these » State or regional transportation well-connected, and accessible walking design elements are context sensitive and improvement plans environments throughout the Commonwealth. can support the goals of each community. » Safe Routes to School Municipalities are essential partners in this effort because the vast majority of Funding Tools for » Capital Investment Plan sidewalks in the Commonwealth—92 Municipalities percent†—are under local jurisdiction. » MassWorks Infrastructure Program Grants Municipalities have a variety of funding This chapter is intended as a guide for tools available to assist them with the municipalities to improve the walking » USDOT BUILD Discretionary design and construction of pedestrian environment. An overview of the relationship Grant Program projects including the following: between land use and walkability is provided, followed by details on walkway » Chapter 90 and crossing design elements. Given the variety of rural, suburban, and urban settings » MassDOT Complete Streets Program † Based on the MassDOT Road Centerline geographic information system (GIS) file, 10,876 of the total 11,804 total sidewalk miles in Massachusetts are under municipal jurisdiction. 10